Friday, November 8, 2024

Review: Mini Architects

 


20 Projects Inspired by Great Architects

Each project has a little bit of history about the building/creation and then step-by-step pictorial instructions on how to re-create the work of art. There are discussion questions and different ideas to try out.
I love how the projects are so different - from mediums to places in the world to time of creation.

The one thing I would have like to see was a mini biography of the architect that inspired the work. I feel like that was missed opportunity.

This book makes a great gift!

* Last year I reviewed another book in this series - Mini Artists - which I also enjoyed.

** Book sent for review

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Mini Review: The Third Gilmore Girl

 I've loved Gilmore Girls for years, so when I was excited when I learned about this book:


Confession: I didn't know much about Kelly Bishop except for Gilmore Girls and Dirty Dancing. 
Oh, and Bunheads. 

So it was nice to learn more about her.

And I tore through this book. 

Of course it was a memoir, but I did and take to heart a few life lessons:
It's never to late to learn something
Put your wishes out into the universe
Work hard and play hard 

There wasn't a lot of tea in this book, but it was still a fascinating read. 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Picture Book Wednesday: Making the World a Better Place (2)


Just a few more books about making the world a better place, speaking up, and spreading kindness.

Everyone has a voice and your voice can do many things! This book shares all the things a voice can do and inspires readers to use their voice.

The message in this book is great. Your Voice is Important so Use It! I love how it shares all the things a voice can do - from singing to writing a post card to speaking up about an injustice. 

Kanzi loves library time. But one day she walks into the library and all the books about people who look like her are missing. The books have been banned. She is devastated. Her classmates come up with an idea to host a bale sale to purchase more books.

In theory, this book is lovely. It explains banned books and the unfairness of it all. The children speak up at the school board meeting and everyone wins. It's charming and delightful and inaccurate. 

* What the book does not explain is that it's not a matter of repurchasing the books. The books would still be banned from the school library. It's so close to being a great book. The book doesn't say what the money raised was used for - I'm assuming more diverse books. 

It's a gloomy cloudy day and Mya isn't happy. But her grandfather asks if she could make the day brighter. Her idea (along with her brother and friend) is to create a kindness booth. Together, the three of them help out their neighbors. 

This is a sweet story about helping others, spreading job, and the power of being kind. I love the ending. There is a list at the back of the book for ways to be kind. 

Asking children what they wish for and sharing some potential ideas. Hope can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. 

This is a sweet story about hopes and dreams. The illustrations are super cute. This book will make a great conversation starter - what do you hope for?

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Covers

 This week's topic is all about book covers. I'm choosing book covers with books on them.


Read this year:







Upcoming books:




Do you like books about books too?

Monday, November 4, 2024

Middle Grade Review: Pearl

 




Amy is a Japanese American who lives in Hawaii. When word reaches her parents about her great-grandmother's illness, she's sent to Japan for a visit. And then Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Amy can't go home. 

She's forced into translating radio transmissions for Japan. She's not sure what to feel; she's torn in two directions. Which should her loyalties lie? She hears rumors that all the Japanese Americans are forced to abandon their homes and live in internment camps. If that's true, why should she be loyal to that kind of government?

The most important question on her mind: Will she ever get home?
My Thoughts: This was a really great graphic novel. I felt so bad for Amy. She was caught between two worlds - two countries and two families. I can't imagine being in her shoes and deciding what to do next. What a horrible choice. This one sits with you for a bit....

I do like how this WWII story is from a different perspective. This is a great jumping off point for readers; I would want to read more about the war after reading this graphic novel.

Cover Thoughts: I like the wave.
Source: ARC sent for review
Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public library

For the American Side:

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Picture Book Review: Porcupine and Cactus

 


Porcupine thinks he meets a new friend - but cactus isn't too talkative. Porcupine tries all the tricks but Cactus doesn't say anything. He's so disappointed that they are not friends, but he has to come back because he left his hat. Under the hat, there's a surprise. 

My Thoughts: This is a cute story about an unlikely pair who despite the odds become friends. I love the ending.

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Event Pictures: Jack-o-lantern Spectacular

Every year, on Halloween, we like to go to the Jack-o-lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo. We make a date out of it with dinner out and then a viewing of the pumpkins.

Here are some photos I took of the night:

I loved this camping scene

This Celtics scene was great! 

Lots of pumpkins in the trees

And lots of face pumpkins

I loved the way they worked the fountain into this one

Scary!

A cute tiger

This was probably my favorite pumpkin - can't you just imagine a Hallmark movie in the backgrounds

Paris is always a good idea

The wonder of Stonehenge 

A different sort of pumpkin

Niagara Falls 

I loved this face

An Owl

More faces

So many pumpkins up high

I love the lights here

Funny Grave

Funny Grave

Finale

Finale

Finale

Have you ever been? What do you normally do on Halloween?

Friday, November 1, 2024

If you like: Hiking books

 If you like hiking books, this is for you.

Recently I reviewed Wild About You, which was great.


And I'm recommending these other hiking (not survival) books

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Happy Hauntings


Hope you have a wonderful Halloween filled with friends and your favorite treats!